Fate/Magus Path

In a crumbling, desolate building, a man with white hair, clad in a black trench coat, slowly opened his eyes.

He gazed at the figure emerging from the darkness, his eyes filled with pure, unbridled killing intent.

"I never thought you'd dare to show yourself before me again… Roa!"

"Of course. How else could I demonstrate my sincerity if I didn't come personally, Vlov?"

Facing the overwhelming malice emanating from the man before him, Roa merely smiled faintly, unfazed by the hostility.

"Though I fully understand your hatred for me, I must ask you to restrain yourself. After all, even if you kill me, it won't lift the curse that torments you, will it?"

"How dare you threaten me! Don't forget who's responsible for my current plight!"

At those words, Vlov Arkhangel could no longer suppress his rage.

With a roar, he swung his massive white sword mercilessly toward Roa's head.

But Roa was no passive victim. Raising his palm, he conjured two blood-red spears, crossing them to block the sword's descent.

As their weapons clashed, their eyes locked in a tense standoff.

"Calm yourself, Vlov. Don't you want to break the curse? Killing me might delay your suffering, but for me, death is a mere inconvenience... I'll just revive eventually. But you? If you fall, Arcueid will return to the Millennium Castle to slumber, and you'll lose your last chance. Tell me, in your current maddened state, how long can you endure? Decades? Or just a few more years?"

"Damn you!"

Roa's words cut deep, like blades piercing Vlov's wounded pride.

"You despicable worm!"

Vlov cursed, withdrawing his sword only to deliver a powerful kick to Roa's chest.

Roa didn't dodge. The blow landed squarely, sending him staggering. But for a Dead Apostle Ancestor, such an injury was trivial. If taking a few hits would calm his prospective ally, Roa considered it a small price to pay.

Seeing Vlov halt his assault, Roa smiled.

"That's more like it. We may have some unpleasant history between us, but at this point, cooperation is the only path to mutual benefit."

"After all, there's no real conflict of interest between us. Your ally, Nrvnqsr Chaos, is gone. Without him, you can't kill Arcueid or take her heart. So even if you're bent on killing me, it would be wiser to do so after lifting your curse, wouldn't it?"

Roa's reasoning was insidious yet sound, forcing Vlov to suppress his mounting fury and resist the urge to tear Roa apart.

The venomous snake had a point. Nrvnqsr Chaos's rash, premature actions had led to his defeat at the hands of the princess, leaving Vlov's side critically underpowered for the hunt.

While Vlov believed himself superior in raw strength and destructive capability, the princess was far from alone. The presence of Merem Solomon, the Church-aligned traitor, further tipped the scales.

A confrontation with Arcueid and Merem would carry unacceptable risks. He might meet the same fate as Nrvnqsr.

The curse's torment was relentless, and time was no longer on his side.

Finally, Vlov demanded, "How do you propose we cooperate? And what's in it for you?"

"Relax, Vlov. I have no interest in Arcueid's heart. My sights are set on the body of the magus accompanying her. He's my ideal vessel for reincarnation."

"A mere magus?"

"Yes, that's all I need."

"Who is he? A Lord? How strong is he?"

Vlov was skeptical.

"His identity is unclear. Perhaps he's affiliated with the Clock Tower or a notable lineage, but he's no Lord. However, his body aligns perfectly with my needs... far more suitable than my current vessel."

"As for his strength, he collaborated with Arcueid and the Magician of the Fifth Magic to slay Nrvnqsr Chaos."

"Well? Does this arrangement suit you? You claim Arcueid's heart, while I take the magus's body. Our goals don't conflict in the slightest."

"…"

Vlov fell silent, then nodded.

If Roa's objective was merely the body of a magus, it posed no significant obstacle, even if the target hailed from a prominent lineage. As for the magus's role in Nrvnqsr's death, Vlov dismissed it as auxiliary at best; the princess had likely carried the brunt of the battle.

"Fine. How do we proceed?"

"It's simple. You'll engage Arcueid and the magus head-on, exhausting or eliminating them. Meanwhile, I'll deal with Merem Solomon and the other Executors, ensuring they don't interfere. How does that sound?"

"…"

"Reasonable. You handle Merem and the Executors, while I take on the princess."

Though the division of labor seemed equitable, one issue remained unresolved.

"What about the Magician of the Fifth Magic? Who will keep her occupied?"

"Don't worry. I have a solution."

Anticipating the question, Roa reached into his pocket and revealed a crimson seed.

"What's that?!"

Vlov's pupils constricted as recognition dawned.

"How do you have that?!"

"It's a gift from Ortenrosse. He desires Arcueid's death as much as we do but cannot act directly. To aid us, he provided this."

Roa explained with a smile, "Plant this on the leyline managed by the Aozaki family, and the Magician of the Fifth Magic will have no choice but to act. She'll be too preoccupied to intervene."

"And that's not all. Ortenrosse has also provided elite forces to ensure our success. With their aid, even the Church will struggle to keep up."

As Roa spoke, a cacophony of footsteps echoed.

Dozens, then hundreds, of crimson eyes illuminated the darkness behind him.

"White Wing Lord's finest. Ortenrosse has spared no expense to solidify his claim as the King of the Dead Apostles."

"With this force, the Church will be overwhelmed, and they'll even support you in your battle. So? Shall we cooperate?"

"…"

Vlov weighed his options.

This was his last chance to break the curse. He couldn't afford to let it slip away.

"That's enough. We can cooperate."

"How decisive."

Seeing Vlov agree, Roa happily placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then here's to a pleasant partnership, Vlov. So, what do you say? Shall we shake hands first? Maybe grab a meal afterward?"

"Get lost. Take your hand off me. If you do that again, I'll cut you into pieces."

"Come on, show a little enthusiasm-"

Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

"Wait! Don't suddenly set me on fire! Put that cursed flame of yours away!"

Later that day, an abandoned building in Misaki Town experienced a sudden gas explosion.

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